Match Making 101

July 16, 2009 7:36 AM

What's the proper etiquette when recommending up a potential contractor or vendor to the company I work for?

Long story short, I have a friend who did a huge favor for me and I'd like to return the favor. He works for a contractor that specializes in construction in our industry and I'd like to forward his contact info on to our Construction Director. Ideally, I'd like to help my friend out without annoying anybody.

Should I just hand over our CD's info? Talk to him first and see if he's open to talking to my friend?

How would the Mefites do it?

posted by PFL to work & money (5 comments total)

Give your friend's contact info to your CD, that way your CD has the option of ignoring it or filing it away for later. If you go the other way around and give your CD's contact info to your friend, you run the potential of exposing your CD to an avalanche of unwanted sales calls, and he'll never forgive you for it.
posted by spilon at 7:54 AM on July 16

When you say 'recommend', are you vouching for the quality of his work, or was his favor not related to his skills?

If he did a great job for you within the field you are recommending him for then I would give his info to the CD, mention he's a friend and talk about the great job he did.

If the favor was unrelated then I would pass his info on, mention he's a friend, talk about his great virtues and ask the CD to consider him.

This would all be better if you could do it in person rather than forwarding, perhaps casually mention to the CD that you have a friend who is awesome and you're going to forward his info.
posted by IanMorr at 8:20 AM on July 16

Remember that you are recommending the company he works for. Before you do that, make sure that you know enough about the quality of what they do to make a true recommendation. This will fall on your shoulders should they hire this company and it does not go well.

I rarely make these kind of recommendations.
posted by HuronBob at 8:23 AM on July 16

Most procurement people are happy to help obtain services or products from people that have other relationships within a company. It gives them someone to put pressure on if the vendor doesn't perform.

That being said, are you willing to be that guy? Flat out, don't recommend your friends if they aren't up to snuff. It will put a strain on your relationship with your friend and not look good to your employer.

If your friend is a good vendor, then just pass the information onto the procurement officer, or in your case, the Construction Director. Unless it's a really, really good friend who is really, really, good at what they do, leave it at that. If your friend is totally awesome, then let the CD know that. You want the CD to be able to thank you later.

You may ask the CD if it's okay if your friend contacts him. People like being taken to lunch, if the company rules permit.
posted by Xoebe at 9:25 AM on July 16

Thanks, all, for the advice.

I emailed the CD and gave the info, and said I'd pass along his contact info if he was comfortable with it, otherwise I'd leave it as-is. I also made a point to say I couldn't vouch for their work but they do have a lot of experience in our field.

He's having one of his people reach out for background info, but so far so good.
posted by PFL at 8:53 AM on July 27